DAR ES SALAAM/KILOMBERO VALLEY/UDZUNGWANP/MIKUMI/SOUTH COAST/DAR ES SALAAM
14 days
Day 1
First the coach for a gentle roll south and then the airport; they all look the same, but it’s the anticipation that will grip you this time. Your aircraft will take you away from whatever the English summer has provided; destination: the Middle East for a brief stopover and then Africa!
AIR TRAVEL
Day 2
You land at Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam. It will be hot, busy and noisy (we love it in a masochistic sort of way), but you will already have your tourist visas, so it should not be long before you have cleared immigration and are met by the African Space crew. Everybody (and everybody’s bags) accounted for, you will be driven to your hotel in the calm of the Dar suburbs. There we will introduce everybody, complete our country briefings, relax (well, you can) and prepare for the beginning of the expedition.
UPLANDS HOTEL – FULL BOARD
Day 3
An early start today: up at 05:00 and out by 06:00, it sounds daunting, but beating the morning traffic is always a good idea. Travelling in a combination of coaches and off road vehicles we will head west, through the city and across the coastal plains. There is so much to see, driving is a pleasure in itself. The plains end in the Uluguru Mountains, which, in turn, shelter the town of Morogoro. Then the bush proper begins and we traverse Mikumi National Park. In this first encounter, keep your eyes open for elephant, buffalo, antelope and even a roadside lion. Do not worry if you miss anything: you will return.
Mountains grow on the horizon and you will soon reach the Udzungwa Forest Campsite, or Hondo Hondo, as it is locally known. Hondo Hondo is the Swahili word for hornbill, the birds with remarkable beaks that roost in the trees bordering the campsite. You can wait to describe the scene yourself; there is no need to spoil the surprise now. Depending on how you feel, we can take a guided tour of the local village of M’angula or explore local farms. As we move through different environments, we will be constantly briefing you as to the situation and the ‘do’s and don’ts’.
UDZUNGWA FOREST CAMPSITE – FULL BOARD
Day 4
Another early start, the road beckons. Skirting the Udzungwa Mountains, saving that particular treat for later, we are heading for the Kilombero River, one of the most important waterways in Tanzania, and one that we must cross to continue on our journey. Once across, the landscape becomes more rural, the villages are smaller and woodland predominates. 75km later and we will reach the village of Itete, your home for the next five days.
We will stay in the grounds of the village mission on a campsite looking out onto the valley. Here you will be briefed on life in the village and exactly what the next few days will hold.
ITETE MISSION CAMPSITE- FULL BOARD
Day 5 to 9
The village is perfectly situated as a base from which to explore the local area of the Kilombero Valley. The Valley is a microcosm of rural Tanzania and so we can easily introduce you to the different elements of rural life and their important issues. Itete is also a village that is working hard to provide better educational, health and economic conditions for the community. Over your time in the village, you will visit these projects to learn about the individual aims and personalities involved, whilst also, where appropriate, assisting in their work. The mission is located within the village and so, in effect, you will be living as a villager and welcomed as such.
ITETE MISSION CAMPSITE
Day 10
This is the day to leave the village and to explore the mountains and savannah we travelled through in the previous week. We will work our way back to Hondo Hondo, taking the time visit projects and friends along the way. Perhaps we will see the traditional healer (if he is not foraging in the forest) or stop at the Ifakara Women’s Weavers Institute, an inspiring place established to provide an income for widows and orphans and an excellent opportunity to buy some souvenirs should you wish.
Once again under the mountain at Hondo Hondo, the M’angula Drummers and Dancers will treat you to an evening fire-lit performance; in our opinion, one of the best dance troupes in Tanzania.
UDZUNGWA FOREST CAMPSITE – FULL BOARD
Day 11
For the next two days you will split into two groups in order to minimise our impact in the places in which we stay. One group will enter the Udzungwa Mountain National Park to climb through the forest up to the top of Sanje Falls; the other will make the short drive to Mikumi National Park.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK CAMPSITE / SANJE FALLS CAMPSITE – FULL BOARD
Day 12
The first group will spend the night at the top of the falls, before descending in the morning and moving through to Mikumi National Park. The second group will complete an early morning game drive before driving to the Udzungwa Mountain National Park to make their journey up to Sanje Falls.
Each group will have an equal opportunity to experience the unique beauty of both the mountainous forest and the savannah grasslands. This is your opportunity to enjoy intimate encounters with the famous wildlife of Africa – elephant, lion, buffalo and giraffe (to name but a few) – and some of the lesser known members – Sanje crested mangabeys, Iringa red colobus monkeys, indigenous camelian and beautiful flora.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK CAMPSITE / SANJE FALLS CAMPSITE – FULL BOARD
Day 13
The two groups will reunite at Mikumi National Park and take the road back towards the coast. South of Dar es Salaam white sand beaches stretch for miles. Here you will stay at Kipepeo, the place of butterflies. This is your time to relax and reflect on the journey you are close to completing.
KIPEPEO BEACH LODGE – FULL BOARD
Day 14
Another day at the beach. You can explore the coastline, or take a trip on a mashua, a traditional sailing vessel, to the nearby island of Sinda. There you can snorkel and enjoy a little bit of off shore life.
KIPEPEO BEACH LODGE – FULL BOARD
Day 15
From Kipepeo it is a simple transfer to the international airport at Dar es Salaam, in time for your aircraft to return you to the UK with still a good few weeks left of the summer holidays.
AIR TRAVEL
